SINGAPORE - The agent of U.S. Olympic swimmer Jessica Hardy leapt to her defense on Thursday after media reports said she had tested positive for a banned substance.

"Jessica Hardy is a friend and someone I have the utmost faith has never done anything other than the right way," Evan Morgenstein told Reuters.

Reports from the United States said Hardy, who qualified for the August 8-24 Olympics in multiple events, had produced positive results from a sample from the recent U.S. Olympic trials.

"I don't know enough about the allegations to determine the veracity of the claim, but as far as I am concerned Jessica is innocent. Period," Morgenstein said in an email response to questions from Reuters.

The World Anti-Doping Agency would not immediately comment.

World swimming's governing body would neither confirm nor deny whether or not Hardy had tested positive.

"As per FINA Doping Control Rules, when a test is not conducted by FINA, we expect to receive the information from the respective National Anti-Doping Agency conducting that test," Executive Director Cornel Marculescu said.

"Also in accordance with FINA Doping Control Rules regarding confidentiality, FINA will not announce and/or comment (on) any case until a decision is taken by the body having the jurisdiction of the case."

Hardy, a former 100m breastroke world record holder, was officially entered into the Beijing Games on Wednesday by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

If the 21-year-old has tested positive she will be able to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who would rule if she can compete in Beijing or not. --REUTERS